Dad buying a new car, recommendations?

[blipblop]

His 16 year old car is nearing the end. He mentioned that to me and I told him I'd love to go with him tomorrow to take a look at some new vehicles. He had his eyes set on a Mercedes GLK350. I also mentioned that we should take a look at the Lexus RX350. He doesn't want something huge and I don't think he'd be interested in a BMW X3/X5. Any other suggestions since we're just going to be driving cars tomorrow? Price range would probably be around 50k.

 

[Jimzz]

Have him look at the Cadillac SRX and the Infiniti FX or EX.

And if plans on keeping it 16years, skip the European cars unless he is use to high and costly maintaince/repairs, I say that not only as a mechanic but also a Mercedes owner.

 

[LTC8K6]

2014 Grand Cherokee Summit

 

[hans007]

If he has his eyes set on a glk that's a pretty nice car. Might want to look at the glk250cdi if he cares about gas milage too

I'd tell him to check out the q5 and x3 also. My mom and dad both have 2013 x3s (yeah they are ridiculous like that). My dad really liked my moms that much. Very nice car.

 

[phucheneh]

I would second FX or EX. The EX37 is basically a slightly more utilitarian hatchback version of the G sedan, and can be had pretty loaded for around 40k or less.

I'm personally not a fan of the FX37, but he might like it. It doesn't seem any roomier or more competent for 'truck' purposes...it's kinda just like they bloated out the sheetmetal and made it a little cushier inside. Kind of like the M versus the G, but the difference is less distinct than that, IMO.

Lexus and Acura really don't offer anything comparable. The FWD-based RX is a boat. The Acura...RDX? MDX? One of those...is pretty lined up with the Lexus.

The question I would ask him is whether he wants a cushy cruiser or something that's a little closer to a sporty sedan. FWD vs RWD kinda goes with that. I know the Infinitis (all RWD) ride a little stiffer than the FWD Japanese options. I have no experience with the GLK, but I'd bet that despite the boxy looks, it's also closer to behaving like its sedan counterpart (C-Class). And I gotta say it looks to be priced pretty competitively...and you can get it with that cool little turbodiesel.

 

[blipblop]

He currently owns a 1997 Mercedes S500 that he purchased new. I'm going to miss that car when it goes.

I've added the Cadillac SRX, Acura RDX on the list as well. The only reason I have him avoiding the Audi/BMW is the reliability issues. I'm not sold on the turbo engines by BMW and I'm always wary about Audi reliability. The current car that he owns hasn't been that bad, but I mean the W140 line was pretty much a tank.

 

[hans007]

I'm guessing if he's had a Benz for 15 years he's not gonna go non German.


As much as people here will say a cadillac or acura or Infiniti is as good.. most German car owners tend to believe they aren't. And well personally I've had an Infiniti and an acura and yeah they aren't as good.

Everyone who will say they are tends to be people who haven't lived with them all. Yes the Germans might be more unreliable ( I've had an Audi and it was really unreliable.....). But the perceived quality was still there. Reliability and quality are not really the same thing. It is possible to get both but probably not in an acura or Infiniti . If anything you won't have any understated elegance

That said if you are concerned about really long term reliability of turbos and such well the glk is really your best bet. Most Benzes made after 2006 are really solid . The current s550 is generally super reliable. Mercedes has a few non turbo cars left but I would not be particularly wary of a turbo. There's plenty of ancient turbo diesel mercs still running

 

[makken]

My mom was deciding between the GLK350 and the EX35 a while back. She eventually went with the GLK350.

Main reasons were the better rear visibility and cargo room, and the badge =X

 

[hans007]

My mom was deciding between the GLK350 and the EX35 a while back. She eventually went with the GLK350.

Main reasons were the better rear visibility and cargo room, and the badge =X

the EX is a pretty weak entry in the premium crossover market. i almost never even see them since they sell pretty poorly relative to say the G sedan. i'd say X3/q5/glk/RDX/RX/SRX are the other choices, and i think they probably are all better

 

[nerp]

TOyota Avalon.

 

[phucheneh]

the EX is a pretty weak entry in the premium crossover market. i almost never even see them since they sell pretty poorly relative to say the G sedan. i'd say X3/q5/glk/RDX/RX/SRX are the other choices, and i think they probably are all better

It just depends on what you want. I drove enough of the G/M/EX/FX Infinitis that I could feel the similarities between them. Which is both good and bad.

It's good that the EX is, IMO, still capable of being a fun RWD car that can be pushed around high speed corners at crazy speeds (for that market segment, at least). But it pales in comparison to a G37 Coupe with the 'Sport' option.

By the same token, an RX pales in comparison to an EX in 'driving pleasure.' It's geared for full-on comfort. Perhaps that is pleasurable to some; that's why I said he should make the important differentiation between FWD/RWD-based cars (even if he desires the AWD versions) and a comfy suspension versus a more aggressive one.

Not trying to sound 'fanboy' here. I just don't think all the Japanese cars should be lumped together versus the Euros, unless you're going purely on interior appointments, perceived build quality, and whatnot. Even then, a comparison between a G37 and a C-Class is probably more relevant than any other Euro vs Japanese comparison (there's the IS, also, but it has no hatchback/crossover/small SUV counterpart). As stated, I'm not familiar with the GLK, so I don't know it's as similar in feel to its sedan/coupe counterpart as the EX and FX are. Just guessing there.

 

[hans007]

It just depends on what you want. I drove enough of the G/M/EX/FX Infinitis that I could feel the similarities between them. Which is both good and bad.

It's good that the EX is, IMO, still capable of being a fun RWD car that can be pushed around high speed corners at crazy speeds (for that market segment, at least). But it pales in comparison to a G37 Coupe with the 'Sport' option.

By the same token, an RX pales in comparison to an EX in 'driving pleasure.' It's geared for full-on comfort. Perhaps that is pleasurable to some; that's why I said he should make the important differentiation between FWD/RWD-based cars (even if he desires the AWD versions) and a comfy suspension versus a more aggressive one.

Not trying to sound 'fanboy' here. I just don't think all the Japanese cars should be lumped together versus the Euros, unless you're going purely on interior appointments, perceived build quality, and whatnot. Even then, a comparison between a G37 and a C-Class is probably more relevant than any other Euro vs Japanese comparison (there's the IS, also, but it has no hatchback/crossover/small SUV counterpart). As stated, I'm not familiar with the GLK, so I don't know it's as similar in feel to its sedan/coupe counterpart as the EX and FX are. Just guessing there.

i'd say most of the reason the EX sells poorly is that it gives up too much in a lot of areas in order to attempt to drive as well as the G37 (i've never driven an EX, but i've read it fails to do this and i've owned and driven a G35/g37 so im at least reasonably familiar with how much fun it can be).

The GLK i've only sat in but it seems to be very similar to a C class which I have driven. But its got a more practical shape. the EX is also a very short car (shorter than a G37) so it has pretty small cargo space. I'd say based on what it is the EX almost only competes with the X1 bmw given the size. and i think in that case the bmw probably wins though i havent driven either so who knows.

i guess if driving as close to a normal sedan was the most important thing to you maybe the EX wins , but its probabl ynot the most important thing to most crossover buyers, so the EX sells poorly. its too narrowly aimed i guess.

 

[phucheneh]

Yeah, the EX is just kind of like that new Subaru Impreza that is a 'crossover' in that it sits a bit higher. Pretty much it. But even being short, hatch versus trunk does add some utility, and a tiny bump in ride height might be one of the OP's wishes.

FX is probably more what he's looking for, though. Although now that I got curious and looked at specs...damn, the GLK is deceptively small. It's actually less overall length and less wheelbase than the EX. FX is kinda huge in comparison. But they're very 'jellybean' and I'd bet the squared-off GLK actually feels a lot more spacious up front.

I'm not much of a Mercedes fan, but I still think the GLK might be the best choice. But I think he should hit the Infiniti and Acura dealers, too.

Might as well look at the Bimmers, too. I like the X1, which is kinda small, as mentioned. But the X3 is a bit bloaty. Needs more goldilocks. The Q5 seems a bit on the large side, as well.

Everyone should at least agree that the RX350 might as well be a minivan. :\

Oh, yeah...if he's open to FWD, XC60 is a good wildcard to throw in there...

 

[OGOC]

Hyundai Genesis. Preferably the R-spec.

 

[_Rick_]

What about a CLS shooting brake? Coming from an S 500, it seems to me, that he doesn't really need an SUV, and the CLS looks really nice, the hatch-back version gives a semblance of utility, the refinement, ride and comfort should be as good or better, than a GLK of similar price.
Unless of couse, he's so old and frail, that he can't get into normal cars anymore, and requires a booster-seat in the form of an SUV. (Edit: okay, the new CLS is only being sold as a 550 in the US, from 72k...urgh)

The E-wagon might then be another option to consider. Comes with the same engine and 4WD as standard, apparently, is a bit more expensive.

 

[blipblop]

A minor update as we were only able to hit 2 dealers due to us not having enough time. We drove a GLK250 Bluetec as well as the Lexus RX350.

First the Merc...

Dad wanted to drive a GLK350 with the V-6, but they did not have any in stock. They are selling VERY well apparently. The car is very handsome and the interior you can definately tell is German. It's much different than my dad's current vehicle. Interior room was ample, I'm 6 feet tall and I sat in the back. If there were 5 people in the back, then it might have been a bit uncomfortable. The shifter stalk is on the steering wheel, it isn't in the middle. That was a bit different. Overall a very solid vehicle

On the the Lexus..

Much larger and it had a ton more standard features than the GLK. The leather was softer and more plush and the ride is softer than the GLK. There was a ton of tech and the bluetooth paired very easily with my dads phone. The ease of use as well as bluetooth streaming music was great. The dealer was pretty aggressive with pricing pretty much giving us invoice. We told him that we had a couple more cars to try out. One other thing, the Merc dealer, you had to pay for the food (salad, sandwiches, etc). At the Lexus dealer, everything was free. Minor detail but figure it's good info.

Tomorrow we'll be checking out the Acura RDX and others.

 

[halik]

A minor update as we were only able to hit 2 dealers due to us not having enough time. We drove a GLK250 Bluetec as well as the Lexus RX350.

First the Merc...

Dad wanted to drive a GLK350 with the V-6, but they did not have any in stock. They are selling VERY well apparently. The car is very handsome and the interior you can definately tell is German. It's much different than my dad's current vehicle. Interior room was ample, I'm 6 feet tall and I sat in the back. If there were 5 people in the back, then it might have been a bit uncomfortable. The shifter stalk is on the steering wheel, it isn't in the middle. That was a bit different. Overall a very solid vehicle

On the the Lexus..

Much larger and it had a ton more standard features than the GLK. The leather was softer and more plush and the ride is softer than the GLK. There was a ton of tech and the bluetooth paired very easily with my dads phone. The ease of use as well as bluetooth streaming music was great. The dealer was pretty aggressive with pricing pretty much giving us invoice. We told him that we had a couple more cars to try out. One other thing, the Merc dealer, you had to pay for the food (salad, sandwiches, etc). At the Lexus dealer, everything was free. Minor detail but figure it's good info.

Tomorrow we'll be checking out the Acura RDX and others.

My parents had the same experience switching from Benz to Lexus.